This Is England '88

Forget all the Christmas specials and seasonal 'bumper' editions of your favorite shows that usually fail to live up to the hype. This is the real deal.

In my opinion this is the finest ensemble cast to grace the small screen, offering us devastating highs and lows (cleverly, in some instances within the same scene) to send your emotional levels into overdrive. Vicky McLure continues her incredible portrayal as Lol, but bolstered by an incredible cast of English actors. Jo Gilgun, surely now part of the English comedy drama culture since picking up the mantle in Misfits is still firing out his deadpan comic delivery, tinged with a subtle cringing irony which is surely going to explode in future episodes. The haunting presence of Johnny Harris is still lingering in this show despite the incident last time, as the direction flashes on the verges of psychological horror. The rest of the flawless cast just shine without effort, and you wish you could spend all your time in their company despite the downbeat nature of the era.

Unsurprisingly the writing is assured, and the direction is awesome. For me though, It's McLure all the way. The performance of the year (again). Surely more awards are pending for this splendid programme and long may England live.

Carrying on from This is England this continues the lives of the characters portrayed in the first movie . Fantastic film

The most recent (to date) of Shane Meadows's TV follow-ups to his hit film THIS IS ENGLAND, THIS IS ENGLAND '88 sees the viewer catching up with the gang some five years or so since the movie and two years since the events of THIS IS ENGLAND '86. Sadly, it's the weakest offering yet, and any interest generated in the setting and characters has long since diminished thanks to a distinct lack of originality.

I love the original film and THIS IS ENGLAND '86 had some strong, compelling moments when it eventually got going. This one doesn't. Once again, we get the dreary Lol moping around - surely this woman is one of the most depressing ever put on a TV screen? It's worse than EASTENDERS! Meanwhile, Shaun engages in an unlikely 'love triangle' plot - yeah, we had that already in '86 - while Woody attempts to lead an 'ordinary' life.

Gone is the power and compelling writing that made the earlier instalments so special. At this stage, I'm only watching because I'm interested in what happens to the characters, but it's becoming a chore to sit through. There are still great actors here - Joe Gilgun is given some great scenes at last - but the miniseries feels directionless, aimlessly delivering scenarios that are just too familiar to make an impact. And Stephen Graham's screen time is way too limited - let's hope he makes a triumphant return in THIS IS ENGLAND '90.

Get ready to cry, laugh and tie curling awkwardness. Just when you let your guard down and laugh. The next scene leaves you in anguish or tears. It's a master class in tragicomic relief. The settings put you right back in the 1980's, where kids and youth Rommedahl the streets. There are some absolute architectural "beauties" and prime 1980's dekor, That curbs any lurking nostalgia.

Another excellent showing in the series.

Shaun now in college, studying drama, still with Smell. They aren't doing too good. I have to admit, this character is kind of annoying me now. He's just kind of irritating, but in a lovable way. That scene he has with Smell at the party was really heartbreaking. You really feel her pain. Hope things change in the 90 installment.

Poor Lol. She is going through so much in this latest installment. Now a single mother to, well you know whose baby it is. She has to bear the torment of what occurred and the guilt for Combo. All of which eventually bites her in the butt by the time this series ends.

Woody is the ultra superstar in 88. The performance was just amazing. You can feel the passion, you can really feel the anger. The way he reacts to the Christmas Day incident really pulls on the heartstrings. His love for Lol is undeniable.

It's amazing the power that a well written, acted, and produced piece of film/entertainment can have on you. I really feel like all the characters are my friends now. I'm an outsider looking in, but in a weird way I kind of feel like Shaun in the 1st installment. He was lost, they took him in and now he is like family to them. The viewer was lost in the first installment and with this being the 3rd in the series, we are now family.

I could go on and on. Just go and watch this. You'll be hooked right away.

This gets a LennyReviewz Score of: 9/10.